Amanohashidate（天橋立）

Amanohashidate in northern Kyoto stands with Matsushima and Miyajima as one of the "three views" of Japan, and is in a special category of landmark. The thin strip of land that connects the banks of Miyajima Bay facing the Sea of Japan is only 20-170 meters thick and about 3.6km long. A canal to the south of the land bridge connects the waters of the Asōmi 阿蘇海 with the bay. Kasamatsu Park is typically included as part of Amanohashidate, whose name means "bridge rising to heaven". The bridge has been loved by the Japanese since the Heian Period, and much material exists of it in literature and art since ancient times.

To cross the Amanohashidate takes about an hour on foot, or about 20 minutes by bicycle, which are available for rental. Along the route across the bridge, curious pine trees can be found that have special shapes, and even two that were hand planted by previous Japanese Emperors. The most famous view here can be had from Kasamatsu Park, and it is said that the illusion of the bridge winding its way up to heaven is particularly strong when viewed from this angle.

Main Attractions

Kasamatsu Park (Fuchū Area) has long been the established viewing location, and is where the "heaven's bridge" can be seen in its full splendor. Entrance to the park costs 640 yen for adults and 320 yen for children, which includes a ride up the cable car.

Kono Shrine (Fuchū Area) is a popular shrine that hearkens back to older days. It is said to be the model for the famous Ise Shrine. Kept inside the shrine are various important cultural assets.

Nariai Temple (Fuchū Area) is known to Buddhists as the 28th temple along the Saigoku Kanon Pilgrimage, and overlooks Amanohashidate.

Isoshimizu (Amanohashidate Area) is a spring that remarkably contains no salt despite being surrounded on all four sides by salt water. It is recognized in Japan as a major spring, and said to be of cultural heritage.

Adauchi-no-Ba (Amanohashidate Area) is a historical site where the famous historical figure Iwami Jūtarō 岩見重太郎 avenged his father by tracking down and killing three of his mortal enemies. Here, the stone remains where he tried out his blade before gaining his revenge. Iwami is said to have died in the Siege of Osaka in 1615.

Hashidate Myōjin (Amanohashidate Area) is a shrine that is said to be where the three gods Toyouke Ōmikami, Ōsaki, and Hachidai Ryūō are enshrined.

As the sun sets over Amanohashidate, the slanted sunlight shines between the trees and creates an illusion that looks like railroad tracks crossing the bridge, a phenomenon called the "Twilight Railroad".

The Monju Area boasts a drawbridge that raises a full 90 degrees when ships pass under it. The canal here connects the inner and outer seas that are separated by the Amanohashidate.

The Lantern of Wisdom (Chie no Watōrō 知恵の輪灯籠 — Monju Area), this lantern is supposed to instill wisdom upon those that pass under it three times.

At the south end of the Amanohashidate lies the Chion-ji 智恩寺, or "Temple of Wisdom". The temple is supposed to impart wisdom upon its visitors, among whom are often seen university exam-taking hopefuls. The temple, which is free to enter, boasts one of the largest temple gates in Kyoto prefecture.